A tribute to country superstar Kenny Rogers was among the highlights of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ 45th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards tonight.
Chris Stapleton, Rivers Rutherford and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Don Schlitz all sang Rogers’ hits during the ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium. Schlitz offered a version of his self-penned “The Gambler,” a song Rogers took to No. 1 in 1978.
Rogers later took the stage to accept the ASCAP Golden Note Award (previously given to artists such as Garth Brooks, Tom Petty and Stevie Wonder) and performed his 1999 comeback hit “The Greatest,” another Schlitz composition. Then Rogers surprised Schlitz by presenting the songwriter with the ASCAP Creative Achievement Award.
But the evening was about more than historical accomplishments, as ASCAP’s top country writers and hits of the past year received due notice. Craig Wiseman won his third Songwriter of the Year honor after a year of co-writing hits including “Hillbilly Deluxe,” “Something’s Gotta Give” and “Summertime."
Wiseman wore a Manuel-designed vest with blue rhinestones that matched the blue drink umbrella wedged in his mini-bottle of Korbel champagne. He is, apparently, not at all weary of songwriter award shows.
Read the entire article in the Tennessean.
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